Orrville man sentenced for sexually abusing 4-year-old

Thursday

Feb 24, 2011 at 4:02 AM

By LAURA SIEDLECKIStaff WriterWOOSTER -- An Orrville man who is deaf was sentenced to five years community control for two counts of gross sexual imposition to a 4-year-old girl.Christopher J. Keithley, 38, of 718 S. Main St., was sentenced Wednesday by Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Corey Spitler on the third-degree felony.Keithley could have faced up to five years in jail on each count.Spitler said he hoped Keithley understood the impact he had on the victim and her mother."There are a lot of things that tell me I should and that I shouldn't send you to prison," Spitler said.Spitler said information from Keithley's attorney about Keithley being abused as a child and the substance abuse problems faced not only by his parents, but by Keithly himself, was a factor in the sentencing. Also, the fact Keithley was in compliance with the probation department, Spitler said, "he didn't do this very easily and it's been a tough decision" for him to sentence him to community control.Keithley must register as a tier 2 sex offender for the next 25 years. He may have no contact with children under the age of 14 (including his own) and he must perform 200 hours community service, undergo counseling and mental health services as needed, and pay fees."... If you violate any of these conditions, you could very easily land up in prison for five years," Spitler said. "So, not that I don't think you are, but make sure you take this very seriously ... hopefully I don't see you back here."Keithley said, through an intepreter, he learned from his mistake and was sorry."I take full responsibility and I will change as soon as possible and get help as soon as I can to improve myself," Keithley said.The victim's mother read a statement before the sentencing."I will never understand how or why Christopher violated (her). She's a beautiful very impressionable innocent child that has thoughts and fears instilled in her that no child should ever have to experience," she said.She continued to say how her daughter has nightmares that wake her up at night screaming and crying.The charge stems from March 1-31 when Keithley had sexual contact with a 4-year-old girl.He also was charged with two counts of rape, a first-degree felony, and two counts of sexual battery, a third-degree felony, but they were dropped as a part of the plea.According to Assistant Prosecutor John Williams, a sign language interpreter was needed for court appearances because Keithley is deaf and may be mentally limited, which contributed to the reason the rape and sexual battery charges were dismissed.Laura Siedlecki can be reached at 330-287-1632 or e-mail lsiedlecki@the-daily-record.com.

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